New Models for Consolidation in Higher Education
Changing Higher Ed
Consolidating Higher Education: The Community Solution Model This episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast features Dr. Michael Horowitz, Chancellor of The Community Solution Education System (), who discusses using innovative models for higher education consolidation as an additional category in or alternative to traditional . Horowitz highlights the system's unique approach, a collaborative model prioritizing resource optimization and expertise sharing among member institutions while maintaining individual identities. The conversation addresses , including increasing closure rates and the...
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Washington Update: Implications of the 2024 Elections on Higher Ed — Part 2
Changing Higher Ed
Higher Education Policy in the 119th Congress Part 2 of this podcast continues with Tom Netting, president of TEN Government Strategies and , examining ways in which the outcome of the 2024 US elections will transform higher education. Drawing from over three decades of policy expertise, Netting provides an insider’s perspective on the anticipated changes a Trump administration and the 119th Republican-controlled Congress could bring to higher education. Netting analyzes shifts in key Congressional committees, focusing on the implications for higher education funding, accreditation, and...
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Washington Update: Implications of the 2024 Elections on Higher Ed — Part 1
Changing Higher Ed
Higher Education Expert Analysis of Anticipated Federal Policy Changes Under the Incoming Administration Part 1 of this two-part podcast welcomes back Tom Netting, president of TEN Government Strategies and our Washington Update expert, to examine how the 2024 US elections will transform higher education. Drawing from over three decades of policy expertise on The Hill, Netting provides an insider's perspective on the anticipated changes a Trump administration and Republican Congress could bring to higher education. The conversation unpacks major shifts within the Department of Education, from...
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How Faculty Diversity Drives Enrollment: The PhD Project’s 90% Success Model
Changing Higher Ed
Faculty Diversity: A Business Case for Higher Education Success When the PhD Project launched in 1994, you could count the number of diverse students at major business school recruiting events on one hand. Today, after 30 years of systemic change, the initiative has graduated over 1,700 faculty members of color with an extraordinary 90% completion rate – nearly double the national average for doctoral programs. Even more remarkable, 97% of these graduates stay in academia. But here’s what makes this story particularly compelling for university leaders: Research has shown that the presence...
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Understanding the Crisis of Confidence in Higher Education
Changing Higher Ed
The Declining Trend in Public Confidence Higher Education has a reputation crisis. Public confidence in higher education is declining dramatically. In 2015, a Gallup poll revealed that the vast majority of Americans expressed a great deal of confidence in higher education, with only 10% reporting little to no confidence. By 2024, public confidence shifted significantly: only about a third maintained a great deal of confidence, while a startling 33% now held little to no confidence. This mirrors a broader trend of declining trust in American institutions. Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Dr. Courtney...
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What Americans Really Think of Higher Ed: Insights from New America's Varying Degrees 2024
Changing Higher Ed
Despite media narratives of declining confidence in higher education, new survey data reveals 80% of Americans view college costs - not value - as the primary barrier to enrollment. While only 36% think higher education is "fine how it is," bipartisan support remains strong, with a majority of both Democrats and Republicans favoring increased government funding for affordability. On this episode of Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Kevin Carey, Vice President for Education and Work at New America, and Sophie Nguyen, Senior Policy Manager with the Higher Education...
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Accreditation NECHE Style: From Prescriptive to Nuanced
Changing Higher Ed
Innovation in Higher Education Accreditation: How NECHE Leads Change Gone are the days of counting library books and checking boxes. With average presidential tenure plummeting to less than five years and a wave of institutional mergers reshaping American higher education, understanding the evolution from prescriptive to nuanced accreditation has become paramount for institutional survival. In this podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton, in discussion with Dr. Lawrence "Larry" Schall, President of the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), shares insights on how accreditation has...
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Improving Public University Systems at Scale
Changing Higher Ed
In this podcast, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton welcomes guest James R. Johnsen, the former President of the University of Alaska System, who is now a Vice President of Executive Search for Greenwood Asher & Associates. Johnsen discusses his new book, "," which examines the importance of and challenges facing public university systems across the U.S. What higher ed leaders will gain from this podcast: Understanding Public University Systems in Higher Education Governance A comprehensive overview of public university systems, their prevalence, importance, and the challenges they face. The...
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Effective University Mergers & Lessons in Stability from PASSHE
Changing Higher Ed
In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton interviews Dr. Daniel Greenstein, former Chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), to explore strategic efforts in guiding one of the largest transformations in U.S. higher education. Over his six-year tenure, Greenstein led PASSHE’s integration of six universities into two larger institutions, tackling financial challenges, increasing program diversity, and improving student outcomes—all while maintaining each institution’s unique identity and local impact. The discussion covers the complexities...
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STEM Enrollment Growth: Online Labs Drive Student Retention
Changing Higher Ed
This episode features host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Caitlin Runne-Janczy, Chief Academic Officer for Scientific Interactive, a company that provides hands-on and virtual science lab experiments to students. Drumm and Cait focus on the growing demand for online science lab courses, particularly in STEM fields. Cait discusses the results of a recent survey that found a significant increase in online lab enrollment and a corresponding decrease in on-campus enrollment. They also explore the challenges and opportunities of delivering quality online lab experiences, including safety...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Changing Higher Ed podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Bruce Dahlgren, CEO of Anthology and trustee at Stetson University, explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. They discuss the parallels between human and AI development, address ethical concerns, and provide actionable recommendations for college and university leaders looking to integrate AI effectively.
Podcast Overview
Understanding AI's Learning Process and Addressing Concerns
§ AI systems, like humans, accumulate knowledge and experiences to grow smarter over time.
§ Natural language models like GPT now draw upon neural networks with over 1.7 trillion parameters, enabling sophisticated outputs.
§ Occasional "hallucinations" in AI outputs are a result of drawing upon mismatched patterns and will decrease with more data exposure.
§ Proper data, training, and policy frameworks can mitigate risks of AI misuse in higher education.
Piloting AI as a Faculty Productivity Tool
§ AI-powered "design assistants" streamline course preparation, saving faculty significant time.
§ 94% of faculty in a pilot study reported substantial time savings using AI assistants.
§ Faculty remain in control, reviewing and approving AI outputs before use.
§ Time saved allows faculty to dedicate more energy to working directly with students.
Developing a Proactive AI Policy Framework
§ University leaders should craft clear AI policy frameworks defining supported tools, guardrails, and benefits to students.
§ Gathering input from faculty senates, administrators, and trustees helps develop policies with broad support.
§ The goal is to help faculty build practical, adoptable policies and frameworks.
Empowering Staff and Administrators with AI
§ AI can predict enrollment likelihood, target personalized communications, and boost yield.
§ Demographic analysis helps universities understand the demand for new programs or facilities.
§ AI chatbots provide 24/7 student assistance while machine learning optimizes campus operations.
Three Key Recommendations for Higher Ed Leaders
- Immerse yourself in new AI technologies and consider applications across all university functions.
- Use shared governance to surface concerns, build consensus, and codify responsible AI usage policies.
- Leverage technology to drive student success and support their growth and development.
By embracing AI as a performance tool thoughtfully and transparently, with the student experience at the center, colleges and universities can significantly improve institutional performance and student outcomes. The synergies between human and computer intelligence pave the way for incredible advancements in the years ahead.
Read the transcript on our website → https://changinghighered.com/ai-as-a-performance-tool-to-benefit-higher-ed/
About the Guest
Bruce Dahlgren is a seasoned technology executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience. As Chief Executive Officer at Anthology, Bruce leads our diverse team of higher education and technology experts to empower our clients with innovative solutions and services. He strongly believes in the importance of a company’s purpose and how organizations can serve the greater good.
About the Host
Dr. Drumm McNaughton is the CEO of The Change Leader consulting firm and consultant to higher education institutions specializing in accreditation, governance, strategic planning, and mergers. To learn more about his services and other thought leadership pieces, visit his firm’s website: https://changinghighered.com/.
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